Prices still high in Herat despite dollar’s depreciation: Residents

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents of western Herat province complain that despite increase in the afghani value against US dollar in recent days, the prices of essential daily-use items and fuel remain high.

They urge the government to act seriously and control the prices of essential commodities.

Baqor Laali, a resident of Herat City, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok that in Afghanistan market economy was dependent on dollar’s value and any increase or decrease in the greenback’s value had an impact on prices of commodities.

“When dollar’s rate decreases, prices of food and fuel also decrease, when its value increases, prices go up and the government has no control in this regard.”

He added although the dollar’s rate had decreased these days, but the prices of many commodities remained high.

Abdul Rahim, another resident, who wanted to buy food, said prices of food remained unchanged despite the drop in dollar’s rate.

He added: “At least a month ago when dollar’s rate was 90 afghanis, I bought a five-kilogram oil for 580 afghanis, but now the dollar’s rate is close to 77 afghanis, the same cooking oil is sold for 560 afghanis, which shows a very small decrease.’’

He also said a bag of flour was previously sold for 1,400afs, but now it was sold at the same price and no change had taken place in its price.

Wakil Ahmad, another resident, said before a bag of good quality rice cost 2,600afs, but now it was sold at the same price.

“When dollar’s value increases slightly, the prices increase several times, but no matter how much the dollar’s rate decreases, no change is seen in the prices of food and fuel”.

Wali Ahmad Wasim, a resident of the 4^th police district, also told Pajhwok that a little increase in dollar’s value triggers up to 30 percent increase in prices.

“The dollar’s rate has decreased, but prices of essential goods remain high”.

Referring to fuel prices in the market, he said: “Some time ago, one dollar was exchanged for 80 afghanis, when one liter of gasoline was sold for 63 to 65 afghanis, but now the dollar’s rate has decreased, but no changes occur in fuel prices.”

Speaking to Pajhwok, Mohammad Hassan Zarifi, an expert on economic affairs, said increase or decrease in dollar’s value would not benefit the people until the government adopted right economic policy.

According to Zarifi, some businessmen take advantage of this situation, they increase rates when the value of dollar increases, but when its value decreases, they bring no changes in the prices of food and fuel.

Local officials in Herat, without referring to dollar’s rate which has a direct role in the market, said they seriously monitor the market and control the prices of food and fuel on a daily and weekly basis.

Speaking to Pajhwok, Maulvi Akbar Furqani, the manager of the market regulation of Herat Municipality, said a big difference had occurred in prices recently.

He said the municipality teams monitor price and quality of food and fuel products every day and take action against violators who sell items against the municipal price list.

sa/ma

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